Depression Side Effects: Shrinking The Brain To Causing Inflammation, Chronic Depression Can Permane

Long-term chronic depression can affect several parts of the brain and cause the brain to shrink. The affected areas lose grey matter volume (GVM) or brain cells. Depression affects the hippocampus, which is responsible for learning and memory. This organ is also responsible for controlling emotions and stress hormones, which make us vulnerable to depression. Apart from that, depression also affects the prefrontal cortex, which plays a vital role in higher-level thinking and planning.